Family mourns: Kisumu road tragedy wipes out entire lineage

A family from Katombo village in Upper Nyakach is mourning the loss of more than a dozen members after a fatal road accident in Kisumu left 26 people dead and scores injured.

The tragedy has left the Orwa Owak clan shattered, with relatives struggling to come to terms with their devastating loss.

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Florence Akoth, who lost 11 close family members, spoke of her overwhelming grief Saturday, August 9, 2025, at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary.

“Nimeona kitu sijawaina kwa maisha yangu yote. Watu wangu wote wameenda, ikiwa ni mangungu, wameisha. Saa hii wenye wamekufa imeelekea 27,” she said, breaking down in tears.

Among those mourning was Janet Awuor, who described her late mother as loving and irreplaceable.

“When we received the news, our entire village fell silent. We couldn’t eat or sleep. I remember her wise advice, but now she is gone,” she said.

Another member of the family, Veronica Anyango, grappled with the loss of her second-born daughter, a mother of three young girls.

“I called her after hearing about the accident, but she didn’t answer. The next morning at the mortuary, I found her body. She was a hero in my life. Now her children are left motherless and fatherless, their father died last year,” Veronica tearfully shared.

The accident occurred on Friday evening near the Coptic Roundabout when a bus carrying members of the clan lost control, veered off the road, and rolled several times before coming to a halt. The victims were returning from Nyahera, where they had attended a burial.

The hospital became a scene of anguish as families gathered to identify bodies and seek news of survivors.

According to Dr Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary for Medical Services, 21 passengers died on the scene, with five more succumbing to injuries at JOOTRH, and another passing away hours later. At least 28 others remain hospitalised, many in critical condition.

Oluga assured the families that all hospital expenses for the survivors will be covered by the government. “We are doing everything possible to prevent further fatalities. There are no missing persons everyone in the mortuary and in the hospital wards has been identified by relatives. Our heartfelt condolences go to all the bereaved families,” he said.